TRBboy

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1340471871' post='1705019'] I should probably add my action is about 2mm off of the last fret and, not through trying to, I attack them with a bit of muscle and still, no flob. :-P I have to agree with you though. I've used pretty much all, bar DR Handmade when it comes to string brands. Used Warwick Black Label for years but they dull so damn quick. They are punchy but their Low-B sucks in comparison and it's tapered, which I normally like. D'addario Pro Steels don't cost much yet they stay in tune, last about a month before I drop them in the meth bath to revive the tone and I've never broken one. However they don't have enough options for 35" scale players. Their "Super long scale" sets are limited in gauge and single strings are 34", so I can't even buy a tapered low-B. My 6-string set adds a .30 but I did quite like Warwick's .25 I'd really like them .40 .60 .80 .100 .130 though. I don't like too much tension because to me it reduces the tonal voicing and a low-B has enough bass, it needs clarity too. I'd tune that gauge down as far as D-standard (A-standard with 5-string)... I'd still only add .5 to the set to detune to C#-standard (with a low G#)...even then, it's bass depending. Yeah...this is a topic I could discuss all day lol. But so far, D'addario Pro Steel...7 years running and they never let me down. Before then Elite's were my main choice...Those are awesome as well! Just don't try putting them on a 35" scale, they don't fit any of mine. :-/ Strings I CANNOT get along with though; Rotosound. Apparently the players choice...#1 in the "rock and metal" world etc etc...I don't see why. Snapped two G-strings merely by playing and they just sound duff to me. Also, and this is silly, but I don't like silk windings either. Plus, as I bathe them in meths once a month, the windings discolour and come off anyway. X-D Conklin strings however, the silk windings are purple, same as the meths, and seem unaffected. I had two strings by them: .150 and .195 gauge...armoured cable! X-D [/quote] Interesting stuff.....! Is your 5er strung through the body or something? I used standard long scale D'addario Prosteels on my TRB (35" scale) and they fitted fine. In fact, if you check D'addario's website they state that their long scale are suitable for a string scale length of up to 36.25"! Think I may get on stringbusters.com in a minute and order some of those .040" - .125" and give them a go. I'm sure I've wasted £20 on worse things!

Congrats Chris! Awesome score dude, I'm glad you've found the right bass (eventially!)! Has the G&L sold then? Happy Birthday too!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1340439758' post='1704394'] Don't see or hear a problem with lighter gauges. I run low action with lighter strings so you have to use a light touch. The benefits of all this is that you don't fight the bass so much... don't tire, don't stress. and I am pretty sure being kinder to the hands will pay dividends longer in your playing life....with regards to hand problems etc etc [/quote] That's exactly the way I feel about playing bass these days; why make it any harder than it needs to be? If you make your instrument as comfortable and easy to play as possible, you'll get far more enjoyment out of it for the reasons you stated above. Think I might have to get some .040" - .125" and see how I get on...... I normally buy D'addario Prosteels, but I wish they had a set with .080" and .100" instead of .075" and .095". Ah well, I'll give it a shot!

I was surprised to read an interview with Andrew Gouche where he said that he uses .044", .060", .078", .098", .125". He tunes down a whole tone and he's quite a big guy, so I didn't think he would use such a light gauge. He says his technique is really light and gentle though so I guess it works okay.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1340400400' post='1704186'] If you spot some bass nerd watching you just chuck a few 5ths in on the B string and any songs that end on the A string B or higher chuck the low octave in at the end! [/quote] Oh, I didn't realise you'd seen me play before! I am genuinely finding it useful though, and it's great not to have to change bass/detune for the one song we do in dropped D (killing in the name of)!

[quote name='jensenmann' timestamp='1340388234' post='1703986'] I´m playing an obviously rare set, which is not in the poll: 0.040", 0.060", 0.080", 0.100", 0.125" stainless steel of Rockinger guitars. After a few years of trying different brands and strength I felt in love with these and use them since 20 years now. [/quote] Yeah sorry, I did realise I missed these out! I was just looking at standard D'addario gauges at the time as that's what I normally buy, but of course the gauge you're using is one of the most common ones too.

Well, I've done it. I've sold both of my 4 string Sandbergs, just got my KT5 left which is covering all of my needs, and I've got my new custom spec KT5 on order now which is scheduled for delivery at the start of October. Now I've been using a 5 exclusively for a while, I don't know how I coped without a B for so long! Thank you all for your advice and opinions.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1340384155' post='1703909'] Im the only person who voted for 0.125" so far then, pink Ernie Ball super Slinkys [/quote] How do you find them? Your 'Rays are 34" scale right? In my mind they would feel nice and easy to play, but I imagine them to be slightly flappy/rattly in action.

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1340378156' post='1703752'] My main gauge is - .45 .65 .80 .100 .130 I use those for standard, Bb standard and A standard. I play fingerstyle, root on the neck pickup and I'm not very reserved either. X-D They don't flob, but I don't like strings over tight, they tend to loose tone, especially the bell like tone I crave, the tighter they get. Also for tapping, having the lower strings not quite so thick helps reduce mud. It's all about the way you attack and EQ I think, long as they ain't rattling like hell it's all cool, and I do like a little fret buzz. Just as a fretless gains it's mwah from neck contact, fretted gains edge and grit from a touch of buzz. :-) Forgot to add, this is on both 35" and 34" scale. Strings are D'addario Pro Steel. [/quote] I'm suspecting this is where I'll end up, in fact, the more I think about it the more I think this is what I used to use. D'addario Prosteels are just awesome! They seem to be some of the chepest "name brand" strings about these days, but they're just great strings. I very rarely buy anything else.

Well, changed mind about the colour the next day! Hopefully I've done the right thing... The order's been confirmed, i've paid the deposit, and they've even told me what the serial number is! Now the worst part, WAITING! They've given me an estimated delivery of WEEK 40! This is going to be the longest 14 weeks ever!

Just interested to see what gauges people use really. I've only just returned to regular 5 string playing, and I'm not sure what gauge I used to use. I've just re-strung with .045" - .135" on the basis that I use .45" - .105" on a 4 string anyway, but they feel a bit like hard work TBH! I'd like to try lighter, like .40" - .125" or maybe lighter still, but I don't know if they'd be a bit flappy (especially the B ). With regard to the poll, I realise this isn't an exhaustive list, and we are talking about standard(ish) tuning (e.g. not E-C). So what do you use?

[size=4]the neck profile, and I guess nut width will be different between the T series and V series Californias. I haven't got either at the moment so I can't help you, but it would probably be worth getting in touch with the UK Distributor, [url="http://www.synergydistribution.co.uk/Welcome.html"]Synergy Distribution[/url] who should be able to help you. As far as weight goes, I have some figures aquired from a Sandberg dealer recently for the California TM5's: [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]- Cal. TM-5 / Ash / Matt: 10,6 lbs[/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]- Cal. TM-5 / Swamp Ash / Highgloss: 9,9 lbs[/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]- Cal. TM-5 / Alder (just to compare) / Highgloss: also 9,9 lbs[/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The highgloss paint itself weighs about 1lb apparently, so if you want it to be as light as possible, it's best to go for swampash with a matt finish, although there is an upcharge for swamp ash.[/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Also the California series is heavier than the Basic series as the bodies are bigger. I weighed my Basic Ken Taylor 5 (high gloss on alder) at about 7.5 - 8lb on my (crappy) bathroom scales![/font][/size]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1340187230' post='1700532'] Do you have a listing of all the options? Do they still offer the Delanos/Glockenklang electronics intead of the Sandberg Stock? Does anybody who tried both electronics care to make a quick review? I really fancy the option of coil tapping on the MM pickup that the older model had. Cheers [/quote] The options are all on the website really, and you can download a UK pricelist off the Synergy website (although bear in mind that that's full RRPs ). I believe that the standard pickups are Delano (even though they say they're Sandberg ones - Sandberg don't wind their own pickups at all AFAIK), and the standard preamp is definitely Glockenklang - you can tell as soon as you take the control cavity plate off! I know that BCer Longtimefred asked for Harry Haussel pickups in his Cali PM4 instead, because they're supposed to have a slightly more "vintage" vibe. AFAIK the coil split switch is still standard on the TM basses, but it's not on the VMs. Obviously the Basic Ken Taylor has coil split switching as well as a 3-band eq instead of the 2-band on the Cali's. You can have anything you want, but obviously once you get outside of the "standard" options, the price will go up a fair bit.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1340139811' post='1699926'] Congrats mate, I saw that your green basic sold, can't believe it took that long. You going to start a build thread?... Eude [/quote] Thanks man! I probably won't do a build thread, I'd rather just do a grand reveal when I've got it in my hands! It's not a complete custom job, strictly speaking they're all "standard" options I've chosen, it's just that there are so many standard options that I wouldn't be able to find EXACTLY the spec I want anywhere. It's gonna be a long wait.......

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1340102493' post='1699000'] [attachment=110857:2012-06-19 11.24.08.jpg] I owned a JM4 two years back and sold it - regretted it because the playability of Sandberg basses is amazing. I think that zero fret makes so much difference. So now have a Basic - off e-bay, £450 - bargain - my only thing, I'm not a big fan of their looks, ie. the four dot graphic, but the sound and feel is Sooooooo right. Pick guard is white, as don't care much for the weirdy triangle/heart shape thing the Basic's have. So that's off!! (#fussybugger) Glad to be back in the club [/quote] Awesome score dude, I'm really pleased you got one! That's the first cherry sunburst one I've seen (outside of the Sandberg website), and it looks lurvly Is it a white pearloid pickguard or just plain white? I think the cherry sunburst looks great with the white pearloid. That's another good thing about the Basics though, they look just fine either with or without a pickguard. You're right that the feel of them is just unlike anything else, I can't see me buying another brand again unless I've got enough money to just buy/collect basses willy-nilly. Enjoy it! (and let me know if/when you want to move it on........ )

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1340128614' post='1699657'] Thanks for the info, i've been looking through Sandberg's dealer list and no one seams to stock a bass in any way similar to what i'm looking for, guess i'll have to order a custom build from the factory if i can't find one by the end of the summer... Cheers [/quote] Well they're kind of all custom orders in a sense. Sandberg don't just build and stockpile loads of basses like the big manufacturers, they build to order. Now that might be a stock order for a shop, or it might be an order for a specific customer. Obviously they have standard options, and you can place a proper "custom" order if you want anything out of the ordinary. I've literally just submitted the order for my new one today.... The prices from German retailers are pretty good at the moment because of the exchange rate, and I didn't have much joy with any of the UK retailers. SO I contacted the UK distributor, Synergy Distribution. Alan Greensall there has been extremely helpful, and helped me get a deal that works for me through a UK dealer. Give him a call and chat about it.

Well, decision made at last (just about!), just a waiting game now. Watch this space!

I agree that it looks like a special/limited run model for Thomann. They've done this sort of thing before. Last year the did the Rayman model for Session Music which was basically a Panther body and neck, but with a single humbucker and pickguard like on a Basic. I think this new model would be a bit too boomy for my liking, but you never know 'til you try!

From the sort of sounds you say you want, I'd go for the same setup on my Sandberg Ken Taylor: Delano MM 'buckers (not sure exactly what they are, but I'm guessing they're ceramic), and a Glockenklang 3 band with active/passive and coil split switch. Love it!

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1339868513' post='1695698'] not sure which Chaka albums but try some of Chaka Khans live stuff... check him out out on these two classic Chaka tracks.. awsome playing.. imo hes one of the best gospel bassists alive.. his playing ALWAYS has me interested.. this is THE man to listen to if you wanna nick some licks and fills....[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biJVcXWlZpo[/media] [/quote] I thought you might know a little about him Bub! I've looked at quite a few YouTube vids of him, and he is just incredible. Not only is he very technically capable, but every lick seems to really come from the heart and be perfect for that moment. I read that he used to be Chaka Khan's MD for her live shows. I also read on talkbass that apparently her "one classic night" live album is the one to get, but I'd love to hear a really good studio album (and maybe somone other than Chaka) with him playing on it. He makes me want to tune down a tone...... dunno if the low A would work on a 34" though!

Just wondered if anyone can recommend any good albums featuring Andrew Gouche on bass?